Driven Bhullar aiming for Tour number one spot
To quote the Rolling Stones, Gaganjeet Bhullar Can’t Get No Satisfaction.
Winner of 11 titles, which makes him the third most successful player in the history of the Asian Tour, the 35-year-old Indian has now set his sights firmly on winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
His craving to become the sixth Indian player to end the year as number one just got more intense after a fantastic 2023, in which the Chandigarh-based professional finished third behind Andy Ogletree and Miguel Tabuena.
It would only be a natural progression for Bhullar, who finished number six in 2009, improved to fifth place in 2012 and 2013, then bettered it to a fourth place in 2018, before the third-place last year.
As he starts a new season at the IRS Prima Malaysian Open this week, Bhullar revealed some of the goals he has set for himself in 2024.
“It’s absolutely a top goal for me,” said Bhullar, winner of the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE last year, following which he also won the season-ending TATA Steel Tour Championship on the domestic Indian Tour. “So many of my friends have done that, and I am very eager to join that club.
Gaganjeet Bhullar of India pictured with the winner’s trophy on Sunday, November 19, 2023, after the BNI Indonesia Masters, presented by TNE at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club, Jakarta, Indonesia. The Asian Tour event has a prize fund of US$ 1.5 million and is being held from November 16-19, 2023. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“When I won in Indonesia, the field was stacked as it was an International Series event. I played with Patrick Reed, who is a major champion, on Saturday. Winning that tournament has given me a different outlook. I personally feel that I’m ready to step up the game and I’m ready to go for the Order of Merit.”
A by-product of that, even though it involves him doing well on The International Series Order of Merit, would be his other goal of making it to LIV Golf in 2025. The number one player on International Series is guaranteed a spot in the LIV Golf League.
“Ever since I turned pro 17 years ago, I have always made goals for the year. These days, you must be very specific. It’s like you need to know exactly which flight are you taking? Which hotel are you staying in? How do you get there? If you have planned before, things become a lot easier,” said Bhullar, who made it to the final stage of the LIV Promotions event last year, but faltered on the final day.
“We all are very aware of the situation golf is in. The lack of world ranking points on the Asian Tour, and other Tours, is shocking. I won the PGTI Tour Championship, and I got just 1.4 points for it, whereas it used to be seven points in previous years. The Asian Tour has decided to go the Saudi way, the LIV way. So, making it to LIV Golf is another big goal. I keep watching my friend Anirban (Lahiri) playing with all these top stars, and to be able to play with guys like Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka really inspires me.”
Bhullar, one of the straightest hitters of the golf ball, has also set his sights on some stats-related goals.
“In 2021 and ’22, I struggled a bit with my driving. Even though I was playing well and the stats were still saying that I was hitting a lot of fairways, I was just not happy with my driving accuracy. I worked a lot on my driver last year and the result was that I won the driving accuracy on the Asian Tour. I think I achieved close to 82 per cent fairway,” said Bhullar.
“Once you are on the fairway, you don’t have much pressure. You know that whatever happens, I’d end up making a par for sure. That is one of my goal this year that I’m going to be consistent in my use of driver. Also, last year I was quite good with my putting inside eight feet. To continue doing that is on top of my agenda. The years I’ve performed well in driving and putting, I have won and contended in tournaments.
“Scrambling is one stat I would love to improve. I thought that’s where I failed a bit last two seasons (he was 72nd in the scrambling in 2023 at 54 per cent).”
Gaganjeet pictured after round four with the winner’s trophy on Sunday August 7, 2022 of the Mandiri Indonesia Open 2022 at the Pondok Indah Golf Course, Jakarta, Indonesia. The US$500,000 Asian Tour event is staged from August 4-7, 2022. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.
Bhullar hasn’t played much golf in his six weeks of off-season, instead focusing on his body and mind.
“I mostly stayed away from golf. Spent a lot of time with family. But through this time off, I’ve been working a lot on my fitness, because I won’t get much time from February all the way until May or June. So, I worked the last five weeks on my body – my balance, the core and the glutes,” said Bhullar.
“I reckoned this was the time to do it and get the body in shape. Once the tournament starts, you want to focus on how you practice, what you eat and how you travel. The fitness level will go down over the next 4-5 months, so I need it to be high up at the start of the season.”
Working on his mental strength has been an ongoing process for the Indian.
“I don’t have a swing coach right now. I personally give more importance to the mental side. I’ve worked with several psychologists and self-hypnosis experts in the past. I feel once you have achieved that calmness in your mind, the swing, the short game and the timing, everything finds its own route… everything comes back into the game,” he explained.
“The last three years, I’ve been working with Dr Tarun Jain. We have been brainstorming on a lot of things, like how my body reacts under pressure. What I need to do better under pressure? How my body reacts in summer weather, and how is it different from the winters. I give a lot of data to him, and we try to come up with a good masterplan for each week.”
A refreshed Bhullar can’t wait to return to the golf course, the excitement heightened by the fact that the IRS Prima Malaysian Open is being played at Mines Resort, a golf course he loves.
“I was talking to my mum and dad a couple of days ago. They were there in Malaysia 12 years ago, when I played at the Mines and I had a top-10 finish in the CIMB Championship against all the PGA Tour stars. It was a long time ago, but still feels like as if it was part of last year’s schedule,” he reminisced.
“The golf course really suits my eye. I played well on it back in the day, and I’m hoping that I will play even better now.”
The Asian Tour’s season-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open marks the latest milestone in Taichi Kho’s stunning rise to fame.
On the first anniversary of his debut as a professional golfer, the 23-year-old Hong Kong player could be forgiven for reflecting proudly on a remarkable 12 months.
But befitting a young man whose stock continues to soar, Kho’s main focus and energy is on what lies ahead of him – starting at The Mines Resort & Golf Club from February 15-18.
Ahead of his maiden appearance of 2024, Kho said: “I’ve been working hard this off-season to stay on the path that I’ve been on … not changing too much, just refining a few things.
HONG KONG- L-R- Victor Kho, father of Taichi Kho of Hong Kong hugs his son after his win on the 18th green on Sunday March 26, 2023 during Round Three of the World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club, at Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, Hong Kong. The US$ 1 million Asian Tour event was reduced to a 54 hole event due to the weather delays. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I’m not looking to become a new golfer in 2024, but just to be a little bit better every day across all parts of my game.”
If he achieves that, then Kho will be set fair for a second successive memorable year among the ranks of the professionals.
To say that the University of Notre Dame graduate’s first season on the Asian Tour was spectacular would be a huge under-statement.
In winning the World City Championship last March, he became the first Hong Kong golfer to taste victory on the Asian Tour. In October, he brought further glory to the Special Administrative Region of China when claiming the individual gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Not too bad for a player who began 2023 as an amateur and who was listed as 1,357th in the Official World Golf Ranking. By the end of the year he was the little matter of 970 places better off in 387th spot.
With four other top-10 finishes to go with his famous Hong Kong Golf Club win, Kho placed ninth in the Asian Tour’s 2023 Order of Merit standings. In so doing, he clinched the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year accolade.
He said: “It (2023) was an incredible rookie year for me and to win the Asian Tour Rookie of The Year was a true honour.
Taichi with his 2023 Asian Games gold medal. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I am grateful to the Asian Tour for providing a platform for me and many others to showcase our golfing talents around the world. I have made so many great experiences thanks to them.
“The Asian Tour, along with The International Series, helped me see what world-class golf is like and it definitely inspired me to improve myself every day.
“There are so many people I want to thank for the successes of last year, most notably my parents – Yoko Kikuchi and Victor Kho – my coaches Jonathan Wallett and Mark Mossip, my trainer Leo Tong, my management team at Octagon, and, of course, everyone at the Asian Tour.”
Although there was much to celebrate during 2023, it says much about Kho’s character and mindset that the most important lesson he learned all year just happened to be his most high-profile ‘failure’.
By virtue of his World City Championship win, Kho qualified for the 151st Open Championship. But his Major debut didn’t turn out as planned.
On the opening day at Royal Liverpool, he ran up seven bogeys in his opening nine holes followed by a quintuple-bogey 10 on the 18th that added up to a 12-over-par 83 and left him propping up the 156-man field.
Despite a six-stroke improvement on day two, it was a chastening week for Kho – but one which he now believes was a crucial part in his golfing education.
Reflecting on the highs and lows of 2023, Kho said: “Winning the World City Championship is something that I’ll remember forever. To win in front of my parents, friends, and local support was more than I have ever dreamed of.
“But I think the most valuable experience from last year would have to be the Open Championship. I wasn’t playing my best golf leading up to the tournament, and had a tough performance that week.
“But just being in that atmosphere and learning from the world’s best really helped me progress as a golfer. From then on, I was able to really apply my learnings and had a great second half of the year, highlighted by the Asian Games win.”
Taichi during the SJM Macao Open. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Given what transpired at Royal Liverpool, Kho is keen for an opportunity to return to The Open Championship as soon as possible.
With this week’s IRS Prima Malaysian Open being afforded Open Qualifying Series Asia status by The R&A, you can be sure that Kho will be eyeing a top-three finish which would secure him a starting spot at Royal Troon in July for the 152nd Open Championship – and a shot at redemption.
The feelings for a professional golfer, at the start of a new season, are almost like the ones everyone around the world gets on New Year’s Day – a wave of hope and optimism washing away the heartbreaks and frustration of the previous year. Story by Joy Chakravarty.
Exactly 60 days after the last putt dropped at Riyadh Golf Club and crowned the exciting Thai star Denwit Boriboonsub as champion of the season-ending Saudi Open presented by Public Investment Fund, action on the Asian Tour resumes this week with the IRS Prima Malaysian Open.
The US$1million tournament at Kuala Lumpur’s storied Mines Resort & Golf Club kicks off a 2024 season that promises to be bigger, better and richer than ever before and continues to bring life-changing playing opportunities for the region’s finest. Malaysia’s Gavin Green (pictured) is one of the favourites.
Players like Denwit, Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent, Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma and American Andy Ogletree are just a few names from 2023 who made the most of the chances that came their way.
Denwit Boriboonsub of Thailand celebrates on the 18th green on Sunday December 17, 2023 after the Saudi Open presented by Public Investment Fund at Riyadh Golf Club. The US$ 1 million season ending Asian Tour event is staged from December 14-16, 2023. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The talented 19-year-old Denwit won three tournaments in three weeks – Saudi Aramco Invitational on the Asian Development Tour, the Thailand Open on All Thailand Golf Tour and then went back to Saudi for the Saudi Open and defeated superstar Swede Henrik Stenson for his first win on the Asian Tour. Just like Tom Kim in the recent past, the Thai has become the poster boy and a shining example of what good golf on the Asian Tour can do to a career.
Ogletree was on the other end of the spectrum, playing the Tour’s International Series events as a LIV Golf member. The 25-year-old from Little Rock, Mississippi, chose it as his pathway back to LIV Golf, and did a pretty good job of it. He won two International Series events to not just top The International Series Order of Merit, but also ended the season as the Asian Tour number one.
Kieran, younger brother of Scott Vincent, who is already an established member of Iron Heads on LIV Golf, and Kozuma were among the 35-odd Asian Tour players who qualified for the Promotions tournament in Abu Dhabi and clinched two of three available cards.
The Asian Tour members will also get a chance to qualify for the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon through two Open Qualifying Series events – three spots at this week’s IRS Prima Malaysian Open and two at the Kolon Korea Open in June.
More good news that came early for the Tour was the return of Malaysia to the schedule. The country, with a history of hosting big tournaments in the past, last held the Malaysian Open in March 2020, after which the world shut down due to the pandemic.
The Tour also announced yesterday that the Karen Classic in Kenya will be launched this July meaning 21 tournaments across 13 countries are currently confirmed, with a significant number still to be added.
The Mines Resort & Golf Club, Kuala Lumpur, venue for this week’s season-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open. Picture by Khalid Redza/Asian Tour.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, is confident of going past the 2023 mark of 23 events and total prize money of US$35 million.
Cho said: “The strength and depth of the Asian Tour’s 2024 schedule is reflective of the phenomenal growth we have been enjoying and we are already excited about what the new year will bring.
“The International Series events, combined with our central column of established tournaments, form the backbone of the Tour. We look forward to announcing other premier events in due course.”
In 2024, each International Series tournament will have a prize purse of US$2 million or more. But they are much more than just good prize money events. They offer crucial international exposure for the Asian Tour members and test their skills against much stronger fields.
The season’s first International Series tournament is next week at the demanding Al Mouj course in Muscat, Oman.
Another big challenge players will face, particularly in 2024, is that the Paris Olympics is this year, with the men’s event being played from August 1-4. Several players will jostle to qualify for their country, and with the Official World Golf Ranking the sole criterion, every tournament in the first half of the season assumes added importance, with the cut-off date June 17.
So, let the games begin with the 55th staging of Malaysia’s National Open.
The Asian Tour announced today it will stage an additional event on the African continent this year with a new tournament, the Karen Classic – which will be played at Karen Country Club, in Nairobi, Kenya from July 11-14.
In yet another example of the Tour broadening its reach, the ground-breaking full-field tournament will boast prize money of US$750,000.
Said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour: “This latest exciting addition to our ever-expanding schedule is a hugely significant development for the Asian Tour, our members, and our growing number of followers.
“It will mark the fifth African nation we have visited and to be scheduled the week after the International Series Morocco, it forms part of an exciting two-event swing on the continent that will truly enhance our tournament calendar.
Karen Country Club.
“We thank Karen Country Club and look forward to introducing Kenya’s golfing community to one of Asia’s fastest growing sporting properties, the Asian Tour.”
“We are very happy to provide a bridge between Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia with Kenya leading the way. I am positive that the tournament will be a runaway success and our members will enjoy this amazing opportunity to experience such a special destination which is famous for its amazing terrain and wildlife.”
Karen Country Club, who have hosted the country’s National Open on 11 occasions and is only 30 minutes from the nation’s world-renowned Safari parks, are the promoter of the all-new event and are excited about this new opportunity.
“The Karen Classic allows us to look east and explore mutually beneficial areas of development. We are extremely proud of what Karen Country Club has achieved and its status on the African continent. As a club, we have demonstrated the capacity to host international golf tournaments time and time again. We will also be able to showcase our premier facilities to the international sporting community. This new tournament will add a new dimension to the Asian Tour, and we can’t wait to welcome its players and staff,” said Muema Muindi Chairman of Karen Country Club.
Karen Country Club.
Bryan Sun, Golf Director, Karen Country Club, added: “Our aspiration is to be the premier golf destination in East Africa and hosting the Asian Tour is a testament to the work we have put into making that happen.”
And Ali Mohamed Tournament Director and Chairman of the International Committee at Karen Country Club said: “I have had the privilege to witness the exponential growth of golf in Kenya and the increasing interest of international players and spectators in our country’s golfing scene. The collaboration with the Asian Tour will undoubtedly elevate the stature and positioning of Karen Country Club within the global golfing community. Overall, the collaboration with the Asian Tour will cement Karen Country Club’s position as a premier golfing destination in Africa and create numerous opportunities for growth and development in golf.”
The Karen Classic will be the ninth leg of the Asian Tour, which is expected to boast 25 tournaments in total this year – with Kenya being one of its many remarkable and alluring destinations.
The Tour first visited Africa for the Mauritius Open in 2016, and returned there in 2017, 2018, and 2019, while in 2017 it went to the Joburg Open in South Africa and in 2018 the South African Open. In 2022 the Tour held International Series events in Morocco and Egypt.
The Asian Tour’s new season starts this Thursday at the IRS Prima Malaysian Open, which is being played at The Mines Resort and Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur.
Major winners Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell are the first two golfing superstars confirmed to tee it up at the inaugural International Series Macau presented by Wynn, taking place at Macau Golf & Country Club from 14-17 March.
Masters champion Garcia (main picture), who won the famous green jacket at Augusta National in 2017, will line up alongside US Open 2010 winner McDowell, with LIV Golf’s Crushers GC player Anirban Lahiri and Hong Kong youngster Taichi Kho, the Asian Games gold medal winner, also set to feature in a strong field as Macau makes its debut on The International Series.
Top international talent from the Asian Tour will also be battling it out for the US$2 million purse. Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, New Zealander Ben Campbell and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, the final three winners on last year’s calendar of 10 elevated events, are in the field.
Garcia, who has claimed a remarkable 36 tournament wins worldwide, including six on the Asian Tour in China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, said: “I’ve always enjoyed playing in the region throughout my career, and I’m excited about playing in Macau and competing against some genuine talent from the Asian Tour.”
Graeme McDowell. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Ryder Cup legend, who is now the captain of the all-Spanish Fireballs GC on the LIV Golf League, added: “I’ve heard a lot about the venue and how excited some of the players are about it, so it would be great to pick up another win in Asia here.”
On Sunday he was beaten by Chilean Joaquin Niemann on the fourth playoff hole at LIV Golf Mayakoba – the opening event of this year’s LIV Golf League.
Former Ryder Cup team-mate and new Smash GC member McDowell, who triumphed in Macau last November at a spectacular rooftop challenge to unveil the inaugural International Series Macau presented by Wynn, added: “I am excited to be back in the Vegas of Asia.
“It’s an amazing destination, and as soon as I saw the calendar, I pencilled it in. It fits my schedule well and like other events on The International Series, playing in a strong field at a world-class destination gives me a wonderful opportunity to stay sharp and competitive.”
The tournament is the second of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that offer increased prize funds, world-class destinations, and a pathway to the LIV Golf League for golfers from all over the globe through its season-long rankings system. It follows the International Series Oman on the schedule, and is the fourth event of the Asian Tour season.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Bringing The International Series to Macau is a milestone moment, and it is fitting that we can confirm Sergio and Graeme, two Major winners, among a strong field for our first ever event here.
“The International Series Macau presented by Wynn is a perfect fit for our model and another example of the growth and success of our brand.
“We are committed to bringing elite-level golf to international markets and offering players from around the globe the chance to compete with the best players on the Asian Tour, at incredible destinations, for elevated prize purses and a pathway onto LIV Golf.”
The partnership was announced between The International Series and Wynn, the world’s leading luxury integrated resort developer and operator, last year.
Ms. Linda Chen, President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Wynn Macau Limited said: “We are proud to sponsor the very first International Series Macau, part of a new elite tier of sporting events and entertaining offerings in Asia. This world-class golf tournament underscores our commitment to supporting the Macao SAR Government’s ‘1+4’ diversification development strategy, growing the sports industry, and strengthening the city’s position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”
The International Series 2024 tees off at Muscat’s iconic Al Mouj Golf with some of the biggest names in the game after it was confirmed that the International Series Oman will return to the Asian Tour schedule on 22-25 February 2024.
A number of Major winners, LIV Golf stars and the cream of the Asian Tour will tee it up in the US $2million Oman tournament, the season opener on the 2024 schedule of The International Series, ready to test themselves on the Greg Norman-designed course which was joint winner for the Asian Tour Players Choice Course of the Year award in 2023.
South African Major winners Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel will line up alongside their Stinger GC teammates Dean Burmester and Branden Grace, while Chilean superstar Joaquin Niemann has also brought his Torque GC team of Mito Pereira, Sebastian Munoz and Carlos Ortiz to the challenging Al Mouj Golf.
Indian sensation Anirban Lahiri of Crushers GC and highly rated Hong Kong youngster Taichi Kho are also in the field alongside a host of Asian Tour stars including last year’s Order of Merit high fliers Miguel Tabuena, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Travis Smyth and Phachara Khongwatmai.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Our return to Oman emphasises our growing appeal as a brand. The International Series is recognised as an elite-level golf event that brings together world-class talent from across the globe, along with the cream of the Asian Tour to compete for elevated prize purses at incredible golfing destinations.
“Over the past two seasons we have created a truly international schedule, providing a pathway to the LIV Golf League for players from all over the world while also offering a platform for players from the region to experience golf at its highest levels.
“The renowned hospitality of Oman proved extremely popular with the players last year, and it is a real pleasure to return to the Gulf state again in the new season.”
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour said: “The Asian Tour has a strong bond with golf in the Middle East and our efforts in the region are evident through the growing interest in golf across the region, with emerging talent coming from many different countries to play International Series events.
Takumi Kanaya with the trophy at last year’s International Series Oman. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
“Oman has proven to be very popular amongst our members as well as marquee international players. The spectacular yet challenging golf course is a true test for the competitors and the hospitality we experience in Oman is second to none. We are all looking forward to returning.”
Mundhir al Barwani, Chairman of the Oman Golf Association, said: “The 2023 event exceeded all our expectations and, through the exceptional field of players assembled, showcased Oman to a global audience. We were delighted to hear that the players themselves enjoyed the experience of visiting the Sultanate, the hospitality of the Kempinski Muscat, and the magnificent course at Al Mouj Golf.
“Events such as these are critical to our endeavours to grow the golf industry and support tourism, investment, and employment in the Sultanate. We also value the opportunity to expose our regional elite amateurs to such a high level of competition, and hope that having Omani players participating will help to inspire the next generation of golfers.”
Mubarak Hill, GM of Al Mouj Golf, said: “It is an honour to welcome back The International Series and get the schedule underway again for a second successive year. The tournament brings some of the biggest names in world golf to Oman, and showcases our incredible course, world-class facilities and of course the hospitality that Oman is known for.
“Thanks to the hard work and commitment of our team here at Al Mouj, we can give the world just one golfing example as to why Oman is one of the best destinations to visit in the Middle East, with its wonderful culture, landscape and leisure experiences.”
The International Series was first introduced to the Asian Tour calendar in 2022 as a set of 10 elevated tournaments that support playing opportunities and drive greater engagement, thanks to a landmark US$300m investment with LIV Golf.
World-class destinations on this year’s schedule also include Macau, Morocco, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with further dates and venues still to be announced. In previous seasons, tournaments have been staged in Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, China, England, Scotland, Egypt and Thailand. For more information on the International Series Oman, click here.
Sweden’s Kristoffer Broberg led 35 jubilant and relieved players through at the Final Stage of the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School today with their Tour cards safely secured.
Broberg, three off top spot at the start of the day, eagled the par-five 18th at Springfield Royal Country Club, in Hua Hin, Thailand, to fire a six-under-par 66, and beat Japan’s Shogenji Tatsunori by two shots.
The Swede, who also eagled the second and the 12th, finished the five-round boiling cauldron of competition on 18-under.
Tatsunori closed with a 67, two ahead of Justin Warren (68) from Australia, Spain’s Carlos Pigem (72) and Justin Quiban (73) from the Philippines.
Shogenji Tatsunori. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Quiban started the day with a one-stroke lead.
Broberg is a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, the most recent coming at the 2021 Dutch Open, and his experience and quality were on display from the start, when he birdied the first, eagled the second and made another birdie on the next. He only made two bogeys.
“It feels pretty good. I played great today, I made three eagles today and putted really well,” said 37-year-old Broberg – a professional since 2010.
“I just tried to finish it off today, you know what I mean? It’s just hard to tell, I tried to be like more like relaxed, like a practice round, and just hit some good shots and then make some putts.
Justin Warren. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It’s been great being here in Hua Hin. I’ve been staying with Rikard Karlberg [at Black Mountain] and his wife and kids, so I’m missing my family now. so I want to go home to prepare for the upcoming events.
Twenty-five-year-old Tatsunori topped the money list on Japan’s challenge Tour last year – where he won twice – and is ecstatic about his next challenge.
He said: “I just wanted to make the cut at each stage. I never thought I would come second. My putting made this possible, it was so good and I always stayed very calm and relaxed. I will divide my time between the Asian and Japan Tours this year.”
Some of the other notable names to earn their cards were American John Catlin, Koreans Jeunghun Wang and Wooyoung Cho, Thailand’s Danthai Boonma and Australian Sam Brazel.
Chinese golfer Ye Wocheng also earned his card through the school for the second year in a row.
Catlin, a four-time winner in Asia and three-time champion in Europe, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have my playing status back in Asia. I wasn’t able to fulfil my quota of events last year so had to come back to school here. This Tour is where it all started for me. My game is actually in good shape, and I am excited about the year ahead.”
Carlos Pigem. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The American, who bases himself in Hua Hin for much of the year, closed with a 72, to end on 10 under in a tie for 15th.
Four players ended in a sudden-death play-off for the 35th card: Japan’s Tomoyo Ikemura prevailed on the fourth extra hole over Chilean Matias Dominguez, with Nick Voke from New Zealand and Japan’s Taihei Sato eliminated earlier.
Some well-known names who did not make it through today were Indonesian Naraajie Ramadhanputra, Thais Kosuke Hamamoto and Panuphol Pittayarat, and Korean Yu Bin Jang.
The Asian Tour’s first event of the new season, the US$1million IRS Prima Malaysian Open, tees-off in just over three weeks at The Mines Resort and Golf Club, from February 15-18.
It’s one of 20 events that the Tour recently unveiled, with a significant number of important tournaments to be added.
Once finalised it is expected that the schedule will surpass last season – which saw 23 events staged with total prize money of US$35 million.
Asian Tour members will have another excellent opportunity to compete in the game’s oldest Major championship this year as The R&A have announced that the IRS Prima Malaysian Open and the Kolon Korea Open will be part of The Open Qualifying Series.
The former event, to be played at The Mines Resort & Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur from February 15-18 as the season-opening tournament on the Asian Tour, will offer three places at The Open.
Two spots will be available at the Kolon Korea Open – being played later in the year at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club from June 20-23.
This year marks the 152nd staging of The Open, with Royal Troon hosting the famous event, from July 15-18, for the 10th occasion. The most recent time it was played there was in 2016 when Swede Henrik Stenson triumphed.
HONG KONG- L-R- Open qualifiers – Bio Kim of Korea, Taichi Kho of Hong Kong, Travis Smyth of Australia and Michael Hendry of New Zealand pictured with the Open championship flags and the Claret Jug on Sunday March 26, 2023 during Round Three of the World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club, at Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, Hong Kong. The US$ 1 million Asian Tour event was reduced to a 54 hole event due to the weather delays. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Cho Minn Thant, CEO & Commissioner, Asian Tour, said: “The Asian Tour is very pleased that two National Opens on our Tour are part of The R&A’s global network of elite qualification events.
“The IRS Prima Malaysian Open is the opening event of our 2024 season and its Open Qualifying Series status certainly increases the motivation for our members who are enjoying a much-deserved off-season as well as those competing in Final Stage of Qualifying School this week. The Kolon Korea Open is one of the most renowned Championships in Asia and is year in year out one of the toughest tests in the region.
“Our members are always appreciative of the chance this provides them and are quick to incorporate Open Qualifying Series events into their schedule.”
Six players have already booked their spots in The Open through The Open Qualifying Series.
Dean Burmester, Darren Fichardt and Dan Bradbury qualified at the Joburg Open before Joaquin Niemann, Rikuya Hoshino and Adam Scott earned the three places available at the ISPS Handa Australian Open.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, the RBC Canadian Open and the John Deere Classic will offer golfers on the PGA TOUR opportunities to qualify.
On the DP World Tour, places will be awarded at the KLM Open, Italian Open and Genesis Scottish Open.
Andy Ogletree’s remarkable 2023 season has earned him arguably the most-coveted award, the stamp of approval by his peers, as it was announced today that he has won the Kyi Hla Han Award for the Player of the Year on the Asian Tour.
The American won last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) title, as well as The International Series OOM, in runaway fashion and was the overwhelming choice for the Kyi Hla Han Award – after the final count of a players’ poll was conducted.
It is the first year that the award has been named after Kyi Hla Han, the Asian Tour’s former OOM champion who later became the regional circuit’s Executive Chairman, making this latest accolade all the more significant for Ogletree.
Andy Ogletree pictured wining the International Series Qatar. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
In 11 starts, he won twice – at the International Series Qatar in February and at August’s International Series England – and recorded five other top-10s. That led to him winning the Asian Tour OOM by almost double the points, on 2,128.26, over the second-placed Miguel Tabuena from the Philippines, and The International Series OOM by almost double the prize money, with US$1,101,828.33, from second-placed Spaniard David Puig.
Said Cho Minn Thant, CEO & Commissioner, Asian Tour: “Kudos to Andy Ogletree for winning the Player of the Year Award – importantly, during the season when we have named this prestigious trophy after one of the Asian Tour’s most-celebrated luminaries, Kyi Hla Han.
“Two important aspects stand out here. Firstly, the fight and determination of Andy to come back and make his mark in the game following a difficult start to his career when so much was expected of him.
“And secondly, the opportunity that the Asian Tour, and indeed The International Series, have provided for him to essentially establish himself as one of the game’s most exciting young golfers, who looks likely to be making a big impression in the years ahead.”
Ogletree with the International Series England trophy. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Ogletree succeeds compatriot Sihwan Kim as the Players’ Player of the Year and will share his time next year between the Asian Tour and the LIV Golf League, as claiming The International Series OOM secured him a place on the multi-million-dollar franchise.
“It was a perfect year,” said the American at the end of last year.
“The plan coming into the season and all along was to win and get back on LIV Golf. I managed to do that, which was very satisfying. I had a great schedule to play on the Asian Tour and I will cherish this year forever.”
“I treated every tournament I played as if it was a Major championship. That was the only thing we thought about and talked about all off-season. I had just one aim. I won towards the end of last season in Egypt and had a lot of momentum going into the off-season and was able to develop some good plans with my trainer (Kolby Tullier) and my swing coach (Tony Ruggiero).”
Ogletree topped both the Asian Tour and International Series merit lists. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Kyi Hla Han, who sadly and unexpectedly passed away in February of 2022, was himself a winner of the Player’s Player of the Year Award in 1999, the year he secured the OOM title.
The forging of his name with the Players’ Player of the Year Award was a natural progression for the Asian Tour, and it is something that the Han family see as another important part of his legacy.
“Kyi Hla was always particularly proud of the acknowledgement the players gave him in winning the Players’ Player of the Year Award,” said his wife, Marlene.
“The Han family are therefore extremely honoured and proud that the Players’ award will now be named after Kyi Hla, ensuring that his legacy and vision for Asian Tour players continues to grow and excel for generations to come.
“He always aimed to cement the ascendancy of Asian Tour players within global golf. He was always looking out for the best opportunities for its members and nurturing junior talent, while actively seeking to promote and grow the Tour.”
The Asian Tour’s new season tees-off with the US$1million IRS Prima Malaysian Open next month. It will be played at The Mines Resort and Golf Club, from February 15-18.
The Asian Tour’s remarkable period of accelerated growth will continue unabated in 2024 after it released another impressive and substantial schedule for the new season today.
Hot on the heels of the completion of its 2023 season last weekend, the Tour has unveiled an initial schedule of 20 strong events across 12 countries– with a significant number of important tournaments to be added.
Once finalised it is expected that the schedule will surpass this year– which saw 23 events staged with total prize money of US$35 million.
The Malaysian Open will celebrate its return to the schedule after a four-year hiatus by becoming the season-opening event and will be played from February 15-18.
The Malaysian Open was last played in 2020, when American Trevor Simsby triumphed.
It will be followed the week after by the International Series Oman – the first of 10 International Series events in 2024, which provide a pathway to the multi-million-dollar LIV Golf League.
International Series events will be played in Macau (International Series Macau presented by Wynn, March 14-17), Morocco (July 4-7), Indonesia (October 31–November 3), and Qatar (November 28 – December 1).
The Hong Kong Open will once again be part of The International Series while making its debut on the series will be the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers, which was the Tour’s opening event in 2022 and 2023. Both events will be in Q4. The dates will be announced later along with the details of three more International Series tournaments.
The Tour will also once again return to two of its traditional tournament strongholds, Korea and Chinese-Taipei.
Three events will be played in each market, with the GS Caltex Maekyung Open (May 2-5), Kolon Korea Open (June 20-23) and Shinhan Donghae Open (September 5-8) staged in Korea; while the Yeangder TPC (September 26-29), Mercuries Taiwan Masters (October 3-6) and Taiwan Glass Taifong Open (November 14-17) will be hosted in Chinese-Taipei.
Denwit Booribonsub won this year’s Saudi Open presented by Public Investment Fund. The tournament will be played in April next year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport (February 29–March 3), the Saudi Open presented by Public Investment Fund (April 17-20) and the SJM Macao Open (October 10-13) are also back on the schedule.
Said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour: “The strength and depth of the Asian Tour’s 2024 schedule is reflective of the phenomenal growth we have been enjoying and we are already excited about what the new year will bring.
“Importantly, we are delighted to confirm the schedule so soon after the completion of our 2023 season, which will allow our members to plan accordingly and act as enormous incentive to those heading to Qualifying School.
“The International Series events combined with our central column of established tournaments form the backbone of the Tour while we look forward to being able to announce other premier events in due course.”
The Final Stage of the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School (January 16-20) commences proceedings next year, providing a gateway into what will be another season of great advancement for the Asian Tour.
The PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers will, for the first time, be an International Series event next year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Asian Development Tour schedule will be released early in 2024 and will feature an expanded line-up of tournaments, for what is the Asian Tour’s constantly evolving feeder circuit.
Please visit the Asian Tour’s 2024 schedule here.
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